BA in Biology—Neurobiology Specialization

Boston University’s BA in Biology with a Neurobiology Specialization gives students opportunities to gain practical research experience alongside their academic studies. While research is not mandatory, students are encouraged to work with Biology faculty or outside laboratories through volunteering, funded opportunities, or academic research courses, allowing them to gradually build hands-on skills throughout their degree. Students can also use the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and, in their final year, pursue Honors Research and complete a senior thesis.

The program connects students with research opportunities covering areas such as sensory biology, neurological diseases, neural circuits, neuroethology, and sensory-motor learning. Students can progress from introductory research courses in their first year to more advanced independent research in their junior and senior years:

• First-year research: Students can begin with CAS BI 140 and BI 141, gaining their first experience of biological research and laboratory work.

• Sophomore research: CAS BI 240 and BI 241 allow students to continue developing their research skills and take on more advanced research activities.

• Junior research: Students can progress to CAS BI 340, BI 350, BI 341, BI 351, and BI 352, depending on their previous research experience.

• Senior research: Advanced students can undertake CAS BI 450, BI 451, BI 452, and BI 453, providing opportunities for substantial research involvement. Up to eight units of research at the 300 level or above can contribute toward major electives.

• Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP): Students can receive funding for undergraduate research, including opportunities supported through Work-Study or UROP.

• Laboratory experience: The Neurobiology specialization requires at least three biology courses with a laboratory component, giving students practical experience alongside their theoretical learning.

• Neurobiology research: Students can explore research involving sensory biology, neurological diseases, neuroethology, sensory-motor learning, neural systems, and membrane excitability.

• Advanced scientific skills: The program develops students' ability to apply the scientific method, critically assess scientific literature, analyze biological data, and use modeling and simulation to understand and communicate biological processes.

• Honors Research: Eligible seniors with a 3.5 overall GPA can complete two terms of research, including CAS BI 402 Honors Research, followed by CAS BI 497 or BI 498 Honors Seminar and a written senior thesis and defense.

• Research beyond the Biology Department: Students may also participate in research conducted in laboratories outside the Biology Department, expanding their exposure to interdisciplinary scientific work.

Boston University’s BA in Biology with a Neurobiology Specialization gives graduates a strong foundation for careers in biotechnology, biomedical research, healthcare, and related life-science fields. The combination of biological knowledge, specialized neurobiology study, research experience, and analytical skills also prepares students for further education in areas such as neuroscience, biomedical sciences, and medicine.

Typical career options include Research Assistant, Clinical Research Coordinator, Biotechnology Researcher, and Applications Scientist. Boston University provides a range of resources and opportunities to help students turn their degree into meaningful career and further-study pathways:

• Career Development: Boston University’s Center for Career Development supports students with career counselling, resume and cover-letter guidance, interview preparation, networking support, salary-negotiation advice, recruiting events, and job opportunities through Handshake.

• Pre-Professional Support: Students interested in medicine and other healthcare professions can receive guidance from BU’s Pre-Professional Advising Office as they prepare for professional-school applications.

• Employment & Salary: Boston University’s 2025 First Destination Survey reported that 61% of graduates entered full-time employment, while 25% continued to graduate or professional school. The reported average starting salary was $74,956 among respondents who provided salary information. These figures are university-wide undergraduate results and are not specific to the Neurobiology specialization.

• Experiential Preparation: The same survey found that 87% of graduates had completed at least one experiential learning experience and 72% had completed at least one internship before graduation.

• Research & Industry Exposure: Biology students have progressed into research and healthcare-related positions at organizations such as Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Tufts Medical Center, providing exposure to Boston’s wider biomedical and life-sciences community.

• Long-Term Value: The Neurobiology specialization does not have a separate professional accreditation listed by Boston University. Its long-term value comes from the specialized neurobiology knowledge, research experience, and scientific and analytical skills developed throughout the degree.

• Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can move into areas such as biological and biomedical research, biotechnology, healthcare, education, and public policy, while others continue into master’s, PhD, medical, dental, or veterinary programs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can continue their education in fields such as neuroscience, neurobiology, biology, biomedical sciences, medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. Boston University also offers a BA-to-MS in Biology pathway, giving students an opportunity to continue their studies within the university while building more advanced knowledge and research experience.